A-Level History & Politics Flashcards

What is the role of the Supreme Court in the UK?

Answer: The final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases, interpreting legislation and settling constitutional disputes, but it cannot strike down primary legislation

The UK Supreme Court (established 2009) is the highest court. Unlike the US Supreme Court, it cannot strike down Acts of Parliament (due to parliamentary sovereignty), but it can declare them incompatible with the Human Rights Act and interpret statutes authoritatively.

What is the 'first-past-the-post' (FPTP) electoral system?

Answer: A plurality system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of whether they have a majority

FPTP is used for UK general elections. Each constituency returns one MP — the candidate with the most votes wins (plurality, not necessarily majority). It often produces large majorities on less than half the vote and disadvantages smaller parties.

What were the main achievements of the 1945 Attlee Labour government?

Answer: Creation of the National Health Service, the welfare state, nationalisation of key industries, and implementation of Beveridge Report recommendations

The 1945–51 Labour government created the NHS (Aneurin Bevan), nationalised coal, rail, and steel, introduced the welfare state (national insurance, social security), implemented the Beveridge Report, and built social housing — a transformation of British society.

What is 'collective cabinet responsibility' in the UK?

Answer: All Cabinet ministers must publicly support government decisions once made, or resign — this maintains unified government

Collective cabinet responsibility means all Cabinet members must publicly support government policy regardless of their private views. If they cannot, they must resign (e.g., Robin Cook over Iraq, 2003). This maintains government unity and accountability.

What was the significance of the Marshall Plan (1948)?

Answer: A US economic recovery programme providing $13 billion to rebuild Western European economies after WW2, strengthening Western democracies against communism

The Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) provided ~$13 billion in US aid (1948–1952) to rebuild war-devastated Western European economies. It accelerated recovery, tied Europe economically to the US, and contained communist expansion by reducing poverty-driven radicalism.

What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism?

Answer: Patriotism is love and pride in one's country; nationalism is a political ideology that asserts the nation should be self-governing, and may involve belief in the superiority of one's nation over others

Patriotism is an emotional attachment to one's country. Nationalism is a political ideology claiming nations should be sovereign and self-determining. Nationalism ranges from civic/inclusive forms to ethnic/exclusive forms; extreme nationalism can lead to xenophobia or conflict.